2020 Volkswagen Touareg PHEV Quick Review

Even though it belongs to mid-size SUV segment, the third-generation Touareg is VW’s flagship vehicle. Compared to its predecessor, today’s model is more upscale, larger, and looks more dynamic. Also, the German carmaker made it lighter despite its larger footprint. They’ve succeeded to cut over 230 pounds thanks to the Volkswagen Group’s MLB platform. The architecture is compatible with new technologies, and this exactly the automaker intends to exploit in the future. Depending on the market, the current model offers 3.0-liter V-6 diesels, delivering 228 and 282 horsepower, plus a 3.0-liter V-6 gasoline engine with 335 hp, and a monster 4.0-liter V-8 oil-burner that pumps out 415 hp and 664 pound-feet of grunt. That’s everything for now, but not for long as the manufacturer made a plug-in hybrid setup that has been previewed a few days ago at a small media drive event in Austria.

According to the automaker, the 2020 Volkswagen Touareg PHEV
will hit the Chinese market in the coming months. The electrified mid-size
crossover SUV will also become available in Europe in late 2019, while VW hasn’t
confirmed any plans for North America yet.

The model uses an interesting drivetrain that combines a four-cylinder engine and a gearbox-mounted electric motor. The 2.0-liter TSI contributes with 231 horsepower alone, while the electric motor gives additional 136 horsepower. Math says that the system produces 367 horsepower in total. Add there around 520 pound-feet of torque and you get an awesome powertrain, right? The electric motor has been connected with an 18-kWh battery that enables driving in electric mode of around 60 kilometers. Not bad at all…

As far as I see, the 2020 Volkswagen Touareg PHEV has just a few visual changes compared to the regular model. More precisely, the SUV hosts just new chrome surrounds around headlights and that’s pretty much everything. Still, bearing in mind that the vehicle looks great already, there is no real need for any changes at all.

Volkswagen hasn’t announced any pricing details so far, so stay tuned for updates.